Fluid lift pumping equipment



Sept. 1, 1953 D. A. M DONALD FLUID LIFT PUMPING EQUIPMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 4, 1947 mu v QS Q p 1953 D. A. M DONALD 2,650,574

FLUID LIFT PUMPING EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 4, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 OkdOL- OEWJL a 7 Sept. 1, 1953 D. A. M DONALD 2,650,574

FLUID LIFT PUMPING EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 4, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 p 1953 D. A. M DONALD 2,650,574

FLUID LIFT PUMPING EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 4, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JWJLL Patentecl Sept. 1 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT was 10 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid lift pumping equipment, specially designed .ior pumping "deep wells.

,An objectof the invention is-to provide novel means rfO-I applying fluid pressure to, and relieving said pressure --f-rom, the plunger operating mechanismof the well pump to elteot reciprocation of the pump plunger.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pressure applying *unitembodying asuppl-y tank whereby fluid under .the required pressure is applied to the pump plunger operating mechanism and any excess pressure developed will be re turned into said tank.

It is a further object of the invention to provide, "in the equipment, on .air pressure chamber wherein the air will beplaced undercompression by gpumpoperating piston and will form acushion and shock absorber therefor and willalso initiate the down stroke of the piston when :it hasreached the limit ofits upward movement.

:Other objects and advantages willbe apparent from the following specification which is illustrated by the accompanying, drawings, wherein:

Figure l is aside view, partly in section, .of a

fluid pressure applying unit :shown connected to the'wel-l pumping equipment.

Figure 2 is a vertical, sectional view of the upper portion of said equipment.

Figure 3 is a vertical. sectional view of .an intermediate portion thereof.

Figure 4 is a vertical, sectional view of another embodiment of an air pressure chamber.

Figure 5 is a vertical, sectional view of another embodiment of the pumping equipment.

(Figure 6 is aside .elevational view .of the ,pressure applying unit and the "upper portion .of the pumpingequipment, and

Figure 7 is a vertical, sectional view of the lower end of the pumping equipment as shown in either of the Figures 3,:5-or 6.

Referring now more particularly 'to .the drawings wherein the pressure applying unit shown in Figures 1 and :6 will first be described: This unit includes a supply tank I for containing a suitable pressure fluid, preferably in liquid form. Leading from tank I,preferably-nearthebottom, there is a pressure line 2 through which fluid is taken from the tank I and delivered into the upper end of the small pipe 3 leading down into the well. The fluid is delivered under pressure down into the well by means-of :a pressure pump 4, of any selected construction and which is connected into the pipe :2. As "indicated, the pressure line 2 may lead to one or any number of the upper end of the tank fl. This :control line,

near its respectiveends, is equipped with afhigh pressure relief valvetand allow pressure valve .1, the latter .being located near the discharge end of said :control line. There .is a valve cylinder '8 which is divided-by .a transverse partition 9 forming.- a pressure chamber '10 fiend-a valve chamber l l The control line, .above described, is connected into chamber to by the-extension "5d. of said line. There is also a pressure relief line f2 leading from-pressure line.2 ,beyond the discharge end of the pump, .and entering the chamber I l.. A .tuhular nipple 13 leads .from chamber "H and enters said pressure return control line 'between the valves .6 and 1 and this nipple is, preferably, transversely aligned with the discharge end of the pressure relief line 1.2. A piston rod 1! t works througha central bearing in the partition '9 and fixed on the forward end of this rod there is a piston-valve 115 which fits -.closely in the cylinder.8 and which has an externalannular groove 16 ,therearound. When the valve is open the groove IE is aligned with adjacent ends or pipe .122 andnipple 1.3 so that excess pressure built'up by pump 4 can escape through the low pressure valve 1 back into tank I. On the other end of piston .rod 1'4 there is a piston 11 tfitted closely in cylinder ,8. A strong coil .spring It surrounds the piston rod M and is interposed "between the partition 9 and theip'iston ll andnorma'lly holds the piston-valve f5 closed, that is with the groove l6 out of communication With'the pressure relief line I2 and the nipple Is. In case the pressure of the fluid delivered from the pump 4 exceeds ,a selected limit the high pressure valve 6 will be opened, overcoming the pressure of the spring 1'9, which normallyholdsit closed, and the pressure of the fluid against the piston I! will move the piston valve 15 to open position, that is with the groove L6 aligned with the relief line 12 and the nipple 1'3 and the excess pressure will pass on "through the low pressure valve 1 and back into the tank I. "This will relieve the pressure in the 'pressure'conducting lines andu-pon the opening of the 'valve I5to allow relief of said excess pressure, the high pressure "valve will close. Incorporated into the line '51) there is a choke *21) which is provided so that upon the opening of the high pressure valve 6 the surge of fluid passing said valve will be sufficient to'move 'thepiston valve 115 .to open position and yet to provide for the 'flow of thehig'h pressure fluid into the tank I so as to prevent the locking of the valve 115 in open position.

The numeral 21 designates a conventional type of .well 'head which is secured .to the upper end of the well tubing .22 .and this well head is provided with an outflowlline 23 through which the well liquid .being pumped is discharged.

The numeral 24 designates what may be termed an .innershell *whose .upper end carries a reducing nipple 26 into which the lower end of the pipe 3 is connected and screwed into the lower end of said inner shell there is a head 21.

Spaced within the inner shell 24 with its lower end screwed onto the upper end of the head 21 there is a cylinder 28 and screwed into the upper end of said cylinder 28 there is a head block 29 having vertical passageways therethrough.

Screwed into the upper end of the head block 29 and spaced inwardly from the inner shell and reducing nipple 26 there is a cylinder 3| enclosing a pressure chamber 32 and the upper end of this cylinder 3| is provided with a conventional air inlet valve 33.

Mounted to reciprocate in the cylinder 3| there is a piston 34 which is preferably formed with external cap rings, as 35, 36, the former of which opens upwardly and the latter of which opens downwardly. The upper and lower ends of this piston are preferably formed of resilient material forming shock absorbers. The piston 34 moves freely up and down in the cylinder 3| as the pumping operation proceeds.

Spaced within the cylinder 28 and secured to and upstanding from the head 21 there is a stationary tubular sleeve 3'! whose upper end is provided with external seal rings 38 and fitted over this sleeve there is a tubular piston 39. The lower end of this piston is enlarged externally and provided with external seal rings 49. The seal rings 38 form a seal between the sleeve 31 and the piston 39 and the seal rings 40 form a seal between the piston 39 and the cylinder 28.

Secured on the upper end of the piston head 4| which, in the present illustration, is shown with a shock absorber 42, in the form of a coil spring, mounted on, and extended above, its upper end.

Leading from the spaces between the inner shell 24 and the cylinders 28, 3| and entering the lower end of the sleeve 31 there are the fluid conducting channels 43 through which the pressure fluid may reach the piston 39 to elevate it.

Surrounding the piston 39 and interposed between the lower end of the block 29 and enlarged lower end of the piston 39 there is a strong coil spring 44, the function of which will be hereinafter explained. It is to be noted that the head 21 has an axial bearing and the pump sucker 45 works through this bearing and its upper end is attached to the piston head 4|.

Within the axial bearing of the head 21 and around said sucker rod there is a suitable seal which, in the present illustration, is a conventional stuffing box, as 46, within which suitable packing 46a surrounding the rod and against which one end of a coil spring 46b bears. A gland nut 450 is threaded into the stufiing box and against which the other end of the spring 46b bears so that endwise pressure is applied to the packing 46a to expand the same into sealing engagement with the rod and the head surrounding the reduced upper end of said head there is a yieldable bumper 41 to absorb the shock of the downward stroke of the piston 39.

Connected to the lower end of the well tubing 22, by means of a reducing nipple 48 there is an outer shell 49 which is spaced from the inner shell 24 and the lower end of this outer shell is reduced and secured around the well tubing 58, preferably by welding as is illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 6.

The upper end of this well tubing 59 is secured to the lower end of the head 21 and is provided with the required number of outlet ports 5| through which the well liquid may flow from within the tubing 58 up into the outer shell and thence up through the tubing 22 and out through the outflow line 23. The space within the cylinders 28 and 3| between the pistons 39 and 34 is filled with a suitable pressure fluid, such as air.

Connected to the lower end of the tubing 58 there is a pump working barrel 52 wherein the travelling valve 53 of the pump reciprocates, this travelling valve being connected to the lower end of the pump sucker rod 45.

At the bottom of the working barrel 52 there is the conventional standing valve 54. These valves operate in the usual manner; that is upon down stroke of the travelling valve the standing valve will close and the fluid beneath the travelling valve will pass above it; and on up stroke the fluid in the working barrel above the travelling valve will be forced on upwardly and an additional charge will be drawn in from the well through the standing valve.

As illustrated in Figure 4 in lieu of the piston 34 there is a collapsible container 34a formed of rubber or other elastic material which is surrounded and protected by a perforated shell 34b. In other respects the pneumatic chamber shown in Figure 4 is the same as that shown in Figure 2.

The equipment for operating the pump as illustrated in Figure 2 will usually be located down in the well any selected distance below the ground surface, but as illustrated in Figure 5 it can be located above the ground surface. In this illustration shown in Figure 5 the numeral 2|a will be termed the well head and from it leads the outflow line 23 for the discharge of the well fluid. In this embodiment the numeral 21a designates a head which is screwed into the upper end of the well head 2|a. This head 21a is provided with the fluid conducting channels 43a corresponding to the channels 43 as shown in Figure 2 and the pressure line, or lines, 3a are connected into the outer ends of these channels.

On the head 2111 there is the tubular sleeve 31 similar to the corresponding sleeve shown in Figure 2 and operating over this sleeve there is the tubular piston 39 similar to the piston 39 shown in Figure 2. Attached to the upper end of the piston 39 there is a piston head 4! which, in the present illustration, is shown with the shock absorber 42 mounted thereon and extended there above.

In the illustration shown in Figure 5 the sucker rod 45 is connected, at its upper end, to head 4| and Works through the stuffing box 46 in the head Zia.

Mounted on the head 21a there is the shock absorber 41 as shown in Figure 2.

Screwed onto the upper end of the head 21a there is the cylinder 28a in which the piston 39 works and attached to the upper end of the cylinder 28a there is a head block 29a having an axial passageway 35a therethrough.

Connected to the upper end of the block 29a there is a coupling 3611 whose upper end is closed by a cap 55.

In this illustration shown in Figure 5 the pneumatic cylinder 3 la is connected into thecoupling 33a by means of a suitable pipe such as 58.v The cylinder 3|a has a chamber therein similar to the chamber 32 of Figure 2 and mounted in the cylinder 3|a there is a piston34c similar to the piston 34 in essential respects. by having the .rg-esopva springbumpers 51, 51 one on each end in lieu of the type of shock absorber shown in Figure 1.

The sucker rod 45 in this form is connected to thesame type of pumping mechanism as used in the other forms and as illustrated in Figure 7 and thechamber32 is providedwith the air inlet valve 33 as is shown in Figure 2.

In operation the operating fluid will be forced, "by the pump 4, through the pipe 3 into the'inner shell 24 and thence through the channels 43 into the sleeve '3"! and this pressure fluid will elevate the piston '39, sucker rod 45 and travelling valve 53-01 1 power stroke, thus discharging additional well 1iquid through the ports 51 and on up through the outer shell 49, the tubing 22 and out through the outflow line 23. At the same time additional well liquid will be drawn into the working barrel '52 through the standing valve '54. Air in the pneumatic chamber32, andithe spring EA will, at the same time, 'be placed under compression.

When the piston "39 has reached the limit of its upward movement the pressure in the discharge end of the pipe '2 will immediately increase thus eventually opening valve 6 to admit pressure to piston I! and the piston valve IE will be opened to allow the return of the fluid under pressure through valves 15 :and 1 back into tank I and valve 6 will close.

The pressure beneath the piston 3.9 :now being relieved said piston and pump travelling valve '53 will be forced downwardly by gravity, by the pressure of air in chamber 32 and by the spring it "thus causing down stroke of the pump. When the piston 39 lands on the head 2] there will be no pressureexerted, by the air in chamber 32 and by the spring 44, on the operating fluid in the pressure line.

The purpose of the low pressure valve 1 is to insure sufficient pressure on piston 11 to hold valve l5 open until the down stroke of the pump travelling valve has been completed and thereupon the spring I8 will cause piston valve [5 to close.

The choke .20 has been provided so that the surge of operating fluid, upon opening of the valve '6, will act on piston I] to open piston-valve 15 and yet to allow flow of fluid into tank I and eventually reduce the pressure against piston ll so as to prevent the locking of said valve [5 in open position.

With the valves 6 and 15 now closed the pressure of the operating fluid will :now be exerted against piston 39 to effect the nextzsucceeding upstroke of the Well pump and the cycle will be repeated.

What I claim is:

1. A fluid lift motor comprising actuating means including a main cylinder, a power piston in said main cylinder and means for connecting said piston to a load, means for applying an operating fluid to said piston, means applying pressure to said operating fluid to cause a power stroke of the piston, a head block fixedly mounted in said cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder adjacent said head block, a floating piston mounted insaid pneumatic cylinder, a pressure fluid between said pistons, channels through said head block through which said pressure fluid flows under pressure upon upstroke of thepower piston, means for releasing the pressure on said operating fluid when its pressure exceeds a predetermined limit to relieve the pressure of the operating fluid from the power piston to allow a back stroke of the actuating means.

2. A fluid lift motor comprising actuating 6 means including a cylinder, a power' piston in the cylinder and means for connecting the piston to a load, means havin a channel for 'apply'ingan operating fluid to said piston; means applying pressure to said operating fluid to cause a power stroke of the piston; means for releasing the pressure on said operating fluid, when its pressure exceeds a predetermined limityto relieve the pressure of the operating fluid from the piston to allow a back stroke of the actuating means, and means for initiating such backstroke upon relief of said pressure comprising a head block in said cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder adjacent said head block, an air inlet in said pneumatic cylinder, a floating piston in said pneumatic cylinder and air in said pneumatic cylinder on one side of said floating piston and a pressure fluid on the other side, passageways through said head block whereby said pressure fluid will be placed under pressure upon upstroke of the power piston.

3. A fluid motor comprising actuating means including a cylinder, a power piston in the 'cylinder and means forconnecting the piston toa load, means having a channel for applying an operating fluid to said piston; means applying pressure to said operating fluid to cause a power stroke of the piston; means for releasing the pressure on said operating fluid, when its pressure exceeds a predetermined limit, torelievethe pressure of the operating fluid from the piston to allow a back stroke of the actuating means, and means for initiating such downstroke upon relief of said pressure comprising a head block in said cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder adjacent said head block, an air inlet in said pneumtic cylinder, a floating piston in said pneumatic cylinder andair in said pneumatic cylinder on one side of said floating piston and a pressure fluid on the other side, passageways throughsaidhead block whereby said pressure fluid will be placed under pressure upon upstroke of the power piston and yieldable means cooperable with said head block and said power piston and urging said power piston downwardly in said main cylinder.

4. A fluid motor comprising, an outer shell having a closed lower end, means connecting with the upper end of the outer shell in communication with an upper section of a well tubing, an inner shell within and spaced inwardly of the outer shell, means connecting the upper end of said inner shell in communication with a source of pressure fluid, a cylinder within and spaced inwardly of said inner shell and closed at its upper end, a head closing the lower ends of said. cylinder and said inner shell and connecting the same to a lower section of the well tubing, said lower tubing section having an opening in communication with the interior of said outer shell, a tubular sleeve within and spaced inwardly of the cylinder and closed at its lower end by said head, a tubular piston fitted over the sleeve, a pump sucker rod connected to said piston for reciprocation therewith and extending through said head, said head having apassageway in communication with the interior of said inner shell and with said sleeve, and means cooperable with said cylinder and said piston to urge the piston downwardly.

5. A fluid motor comprising, an outer shell having a closed lower end, means connecting the upper end of the outer shell in communication with an upper section of a well tubing, an inner shell within and spaced inwardly of said outer shell, means connecting the upper .end of said inner. shell in communication with a source of pressure fluid, a cylinder with-in and spaced inwardly of said inner shell and closed at its upper end, a head closing the lower ends of said cylinder and inner shell and connecting the same to a lower section of the well tubing, said lower tubing section having an opening in communication with the interior of said outer shell, a tubular sleeve within and spaced inwardly of the cylinder and closed at its lower end by said head, a tubular piston fitted over said sleeve, a pump sucker rod comiected to the piston for reciprocation therewith and extending through said head, said head having a passageway in communication with the interior of said inner shell and with said sleeve, yielda-ble means cooperable with said cylinder and piston and urging the piston downwardly, and means in said cylinder above said piston and adapted to compress air in said cylinder upon upward movement of said piston.

6. A fluid motor comprising, inner and outer concentrically arranged shells, means connecting the outer shell in communication with an upper section of a well tubing, means connecting the upper end of said inner shell in communication with a source of pressure fluid, a cylinder within and spaced inwardly of said inner shell and closed at its upper end, a head closing the lower ends of said inner shell and said cylinder, tubular means closing the lower end of said outer shell and connecting said outer shell in communication with a lower section of the well tub ing, a tubular sleeve within and spaced inwardly of the cylinder and closed at its lower end by said head, said head having a passageway in communication with the interior of the inner shell and said sleeve, a tubular piston fitted over the sleeve, a pump sucker rod connected to the piston for reciprocation therewith and extending through said head, means cooperable with said piston and cylinder and urging said cylinder downwardly and a head block in said cylinder above the piston and having passageways therethrough in communication with said cylinder above and beneath the block.

7. A fluid motor comprising, an outer shell having a closed lower end, means connected to the upper end of the shell and connecting the same in communication with an upper section of a well tubing, an inner shell within and spaced inwardly of the outer shell, means connected to the upper end of the inner shell and connecting the same in communication with a source of pressure fiuid, a cylinder within and spaced inwardly of the inner shell and closed at its upper end, a head closing the lower ends of the inner shell and the cylinder, a tubular sleeve having an open upper end and whose lower end is closed by said head within and spaced inwardly of said cylinder, 'a tubular piston fiitted over said sleeve, a pump sucker rod connected to the piston for reciprocation therewith and extending through said head, said head having a passageway opening at one end within said sleeve and in communication at its other end with the interior of the cylinder, tubular means connected to said head and to a lower section of the well casing beneath the lower end of said outer shell and providing communication between said lower tubing section and the interior of said outer shell, a head block in said cylinder above said piston and having a passageway in communication with the cylinder above and beneath said block, and a floating piston in said cylinder above the head block.

8. A fluid motor comprising, an outer shell having a closed lower end, means connected to the upper end of the shell and connecting the same in communication with an upper section of a well tubing, an inner shell within and spaced inwardly of the outer shell, means connected to the upper end of the inner shell and connecting the same in communication with a source of pressure fluid, a cylinder within and spaced inwardly of the inner shell and closed at its upper end, a head closing the lower ends of the inner shell and the cylinder, a tubular sleeve having an open upper end and whose lower end is closed by said head within and spaced inwardly of said cylinder, a tubular piston fitted over said sleeve, a pump sucker rod connected to the piston for reciprocation therewith and extending through said head, said head having a passageway opening at one end within said sleeve and in communication at its other end with interior of the cylinder, tubular means connected to said head to a lower section of the well casing beneath the lower end of said outer shell and providing communication between said lower tubing section and the interior of said outer shell, a head block in said cylinder above said piston and having a passageway in communication with the cylinder above and beneath said block, and a collapsible container in said cylinder above said block and filled with a compressible fluid.

9. In a fiuid motor, a cylinder having a closed upper end, a tubular sleeve within and spaced inwardly of said cylinder, a head closing the lower ends of the cylinder and sleeve, a tubular piston in the cylinder fitted over said sleeve, a pump sucker rod connected to the piston for reciprocation therewith and extending through said head, means for applying an operating fluid to the interior of said sleeve from outside of said cylinder to move the piston upwardly, and means cooperable with the cylinder and said piston and urging the piston downwardly.

10. In a fluid motor, a cylinder having a closed upper end, a tubular sleeve within and spaced inwardly of said cylinder, a head closing the lower ends of the cylinder and sleeve, a tubular piston in the cylinder fitted over said sleeve, a pump sucker rod connected to the piston for reciprocation therewith and extending through said head, means for applying an operating fluid to the interior of said sleeve from outside of said cylinder to move the piston upwardly, and means in the cylinder above the piston for compressing air in the cylinder upon upward movement of said piston.

DONALD A. MACDONALD.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 706,688 Reynders et al. Aug. 12, 1902 1,816,829 DeLeeuw Aug. 4, 1931 1,898,694 Sikorsky Feb. 21, 1933 2,001,620 Levy May 14, 1935 2,016,654 Shippy et al. Oct. 8, 1935 2,133,708 Larson Oct. 18, 193-8 2,139,101 Spencer Dec. 6, 1938 2,185,448 Suter Jan. 2, 1940 2,246,535 Playfair June 24, 1941 2,279,057 Reed Apr. 7, 1942 2,363,142 Reed Nov. 21, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 485,617 Great Britain May 16, 1938 

